{"id":11276,"date":"2020-03-10T01:28:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T15:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardens.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/?p=11276"},"modified":"2025-10-30T21:14:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T11:14:58","slug":"chives-a-versatile-garden-must-have","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/gardens\/2020\/03\/10\/chives-a-versatile-garden-must-have\/","title":{"rendered":"Chives: A Versatile Garden Must-Have"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If\nyou are thinking about using herbs ornamentally by planting varieties that are\nparticularly pretty, then rosemary, lavender, and thyme are obvious choices.\nWe, however, have always had a deep appreciation for chives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pollinators\n– bees, in particular – love their splendid white, lavender, pink, or purple\nflowers. In fact, this perennial herb can turn any garden into a magazine cover\nwhen their blossoms appear as cheerful spheres above delicate clusters of\nfoliage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pollinators
Pollinators – bees, in particular – love the splendid white, lavender, pink, or purple flowers of chives. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Growing\nChives is Easy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chive\nleaves look like slender green tubes. The experienced gardener and cook snips\nand gathers them as a garnish. If you pick apart the flower heads, the\nindividual florets brighten the sight and taste of a salad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nherb is easy to grow. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting\nStarted<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First,\nof course, is that you need to get your hands on some chives. They are easy to\ndivide, so ask fellow gardeners if they have any to share. Of course, stopping\nat your local nursery and picking up a small clump should be just as easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\ncan direct sow seeds, too, as soon as the soil is workable. If so, keep in mind\nthat you may not experience much of a harvest or bloom until the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chives
Chives are easy to divide, so ask fellow gardeners if they have any to share. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Planting\nChives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pick a location that receives full sun. Chives grow best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Don\u2019t hesitate to settle for partial sun, however, if lavish sunlight isn\u2019t an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chives flourish in fertile, well-draining soil<\/a>. To promote vigorous growth throughout the season, work organic compost into the soil at the time of planting. You can also apply about 2 to 3 tablespoons of all-purpose fertilizer per square foot of planting area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant the seeds about \u00bc inch deep into the soil. Your final plant spacing should be 4 to 6 inches apart in all directions. This will work well for a formal edge or spacing, says the Old Farmer’s Alamanac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chives
Chives flourish in fertile, well-draining soil. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Caring\nfor Chives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chives require consistent watering. Moisten the soil thoroughly when watering. You can also use a mulch to conserve moisture and keep the weeds at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimal care is needed for fully-grown chive plants. After the flowers bloom, be sure to remove them if you don\u2019t want the seeds to spread throughout your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dividing\nChives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chive plants grow to be 12 to 24 inches tall and may spread a foot across. Remember to divide the plants every 3 to 4 years in the spring. Chives are more productive when they are divided regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To divide plants, water them ahead of time. After watering, cut the leaves back to just a few inches above the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a pitchfork to dig up the plant then lightly tap the root on the ground until it breaks up a bit. You can then pull the roots apart into smaller clumps. Don\u2019t worry too much about damaging the roots. Chives are a tough, hardy herb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chive
Chive plants grow to be 12 to 24 inches tall and may spread a foot across. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Growing\nChives in a Container<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\nplan to grow chives in a container, use potting soil to ensure better drainage.\nWe recommend that you add compost to the mix. If you do want to use compost, add\nsome sand and peat or coconut coir to allow for more oxygen and better\ndrainage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plants\nin containers typically dry out faster. This means you will likely need to\nwater your container-grown chives more frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"If
If you plan to grow chives in a container, use potting soil to ensure better drainage. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Harvesting\nChives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If\nyou\u2019re growing chives for the kitchen, consider cutting the flower buds off\nbefore they bloom. This will encourage more vigorous growth. You should harvest\nleaves in the early morning – before the heat from the sun dehydrates the\nleaves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To\nharvest, wrap your hand around a clump of leaves and cut with a pair of clean,\nsharp scissors or a knife. Make the cut a couple of inches above the soil line.\nBe sure to leave some green at the base of the plant to permit better\nregeneration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"If
If you\u2019re growing chives for the kitchen, consider cutting the flower buds off before they bloom. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An All-Around Garden Favorite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chives\noffer beauty, food, and pest-repellent properties, so what\u2019s stopping you from\nadding this herb to your garden? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t\nforget to put some in a container near the kitchen. You can grow chives in a container\non a sunny kitchen windowsill for easy access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you grow already grow chives? Do you grow them for decorative or culinary purposes? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both, maybe? Please do tell us about your experiences. We’d love to hear about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a quick video\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n